House District 77 is located in western Saint Tammany Parish and includes Covington, Madisonville, and Folsom. This is a district whose political complexion and partisan representation were substantially changed by suburban growth over the last several decades (the district has grown an estimated 26% since 2010). The district map can be found here.

Due to the suburban growth, this is a heavily Republican district that typically gives Republican candidates at least 3:1 support (Donald Trump carried the district 76-19%, while Senator (and Madisonville resident) John Kennedy carried the district 83-17%. Republican John Schroder has represented the district since his initial election in 2007, and four months ago, he resigned his seat to concentrate on his candidacy for State Treasurer.

This open seat race is on the October 14 ballot at the same time as the special election for Treasurer. JMC was engaged to poll this race, which has four candidates running (three Republicans and a Democrat-turned-Independent).

The poll can be viewed here, and there are three main takeaways: (1) Colonel Maness maintains the lead he has had throughout the race, (2) it looks like Independent Lisa Condrey Ward will face Colonel Maness in a runoff, and (3) Col. Maness comfortably defeats any of this three opponents in hypothetical head to head matchups.